Information
General Info:
What is a sugar glider?: A sugar glider is a small marsupial possum from Australia, and parts of Indonesia and New Guinea. They are not related to flying squirrels, and are considered exotic animals in the United States. Sugar Gliders are nocturnal, meaning they are active during the night, and awake during the day.
Where did they get that name?: Their name comes from their two obvious characteristics. Sugar or Honey because of their preference of sweet things, and Gliders for their gliding membrane called a patagium.
What does a sugar glider look like?: An adult sugar gliders head and body measure about 5 to 6 inches in length with a tail equal in length to aid in balance and gliding. Sugar gliders have hairless ears, that can be moved independently in order to pick up the smallest sounds. A "wild type" or "standard" color sugar glider is gray or brownish in color with a long black stripe that runs from it's nose to the end of the back. The underside of a sugar glider is a cream or white color. The last inch or so of the tail is black or brown. They have large protruding eyes, like most nocturnal animals, to allow for a wider field of vision. A sugar glider has five digits on each forefoot, with sharp claws to help grip branches. The hind feet also have 5 digits, and include a partially fused together 2nd and 3rd digit used for a grooming comb. There is also an enlarged, clawless, opposable big toe. The sugar glider has a patagium, a furred membrane of skin that connects to the wrists and ankles on each side of the glider, used for gliding.
Need some more sugar glider stats?: Sugar gliders in captivity vary in size. A normal weight for an average male is around 120grams. Some males are quite larger weighing over 200grams without being considered overweight. Females do tend to be a little smaller averaging around 110grams, but also vary in size. A sugar gliders average body temperature is around 89 degrees, lower than that of placental mammals. Life span for a captive sugar glider is about 5-7 years in the wild, but can live 12-15 years in captivity, providing they have a healthy diet, exercise, and remain happy. Even though they can live 12-15 years, average life span in captivity is substantially lower, averaging around 6 to 8 years. Usually this is due to poor diet, or inadequate care.
Getting a sugar glider for a kid or young adult is usually not recommended for a number of reason. The care and bonding of any animals, especially an exotic animal such as a sugar glider would be required to be overseen by a responsible adult. It is important to make sure an adult can and would be willing to step up and care for the animal should the child/young adult not be able to. The responsible adult should also oversee the daily care of the animal to ensure the sugar glider is cared for properly. Too many sugar gliders are rehomed each year due to lack of knowledge or care requirement. Many people are first introduced to sugar gliders at a local flea market, trade show, or pet store where their care is overly exaggerated as "easy" and "low maintained pet". Please continue to research before buying a sugar glider for a child or young adult.
Some of the top reasons sugar gliders are not recommended for children/young adults:
* Bonding; with some sugar gliders can take a matter of days while others can take several months. Patience and persistence is extremely important. Sugar gliders can bite, and some actually will when going through the bonding process. Often times kids or young adults may lack the patience and time required to allow a proper bond to form.
* Diet; They are not the type of animal you can run to the store and pick up a bag of "glider food". Of coarse you may visit your local pet store and see "sugar glider food" however this is usually nothing more than repackaged bird or reptile pellets. There are no standards or minimum requirements for sugar glider food, which means any company can put whatever in a box and label it sugar glider food. Proven diets are homemade, and prepared fresh each night. Preparing fruits, veggies, protein source, and staple need to be changed out daily which can make those nights and weekends out, or family vacations extremely difficult. Chopping fruits and vegetables can be dangerous for younger children. Also most proven diets require some cooking (ex. boiled eggs), and the use of a blender.
* Nails; Some young adults/children with sensitive skin may break out in a rash when handling sugar gliders. Trimming nails will help the condition, but not eliminate it for some people. Nails need trimmed often for their safety. Not all sugar gliders will allow you to easily clip their nails. They will wiggle, and some may even bite to get free. Often times this is a two person job for even experienced adults.
* Smell; Young adults/children also have a keener sense of smell than most adults. It is important to note that sugar gliders do have scent glands and do mark what is theirs. Some people do not understand that while the females do not have head or chest glands, they do have scent glands in their anus. While females don't tend to smell as musty, they do still have an odor that some people are sensitive to.
* Noise; Sugar gliders are nocturnal and do tend to get a bit noisy at night. Wheels spinning, sugar gliders barking, the occasional toy bell that makes noise. It can be difficult for some people to sleep with all that going on in the same room.
* Nocturnal; You must consider the animal's sleep patterns. Sugar gliders sleep during the day which means loud music, video games, and TV's can interrupt their sleeping patterns causing them to become stressed. Stress can ultimately lead to illness, over grooming, or in severe cases self mutilation. On the other side, sugar gliders are up all night. They make can make quite a bit of noise running in wheels, barking, or playing with toys while your child is asleep. Children or young adults in school may not have enough time in the late evening hours to spend with their new pet while awake. While it is true that sugar gliders can be carried while they are sleeping, they also need attention in the evening when they are awake and socially active.
* Life Span; Sugar gliders have an extensive life span of 10-15 years in captivity. It is extremely important to consider where a sugar glider will fit into your family as life changes. Kids and young adults have major changes within the next few years of their life including school, graduation, boy/girl friends, drivers licenses, moving out, going off to college. Sugar gliders consider their human family as part of their colony. Rehoming a sugar glider can be detrimental to the future trust and human bonding within the sugar gliders lifetime. While no one ever knows what the future holds for them, it is important to take into consideration what you know will likely happen within the animals lifetime and how it would affect the happiness of the animal.
Sugar Gliders a great animals, and can be a wonderful addition to your family. However, please consider what is best for the animal and yourself, as there are many pros and cons to being a sugar glider owner. Too many times do people rush into buying these animals before looking at all factors. Leaving many sugar gliders homeless, sick, and even dead. I don't mean to sound harsh, but I have seen it myself, and it is simply heartbreaking.
Before you decide if a sugar glider is right for you, please consider the following:
Laws:
Sugar gliders are not legal to have as pets in some states, it is important to research this to see if your state allows sugar gliders as pets. If you are planning on breeding your sugar glider, please note that you may need to have a USDA license. If you don't abide by these laws your sugar glider can be confiscated, you also can be fined, or even imprisoned. Please visit USDA's website for more information.
Cost:
Sugar glider's are expensive animals. Prices start at about $150.00 for a normal gray sugar glider. Sugar gliders are very social colony animals, therefore, it is recommended that you get 2 sugar gliders instead of just one. Sugar glider's need large cages, toys, and have a complex diet. Even if you get a good deal on the price for your sugar glider, and cage, there are a lot more costs ahead that must been considered, such as vet bills, and diets.
Life Span:
A sugar glider in captivity can live up to 15 years, provided it has good care. That means 5,478 nights of, chopping up fresh fruit and veggies, touching bugs, balancing meals, cleaning cages, and spending quality time with your glider. Being that sugar gliders are very social animals, having only one, you must handle it a minimum of 2 hours each night, not doing so can lead to depression, and ultimately other health problems.
Allergic Reactions:
A sugar glider is a furred animal, therefore, if anyone is allergic to animal fur in your household, a sugar glider may not be the best pet for you. Sugar gliders do not have much if any dander, so usually that isn't a problem. People with sensitive skin may break out in a rash when handling sugar gliders. As part of their grooming practices, sugar glider will "sneeze" on their hands and groom their fur. The saliva in combination with their sharp nails can puncture the skin and cause a condition known as dermatitis.
Vets:
A sugar glider is considered an exotic animal, therefore, not all vets treat them. It is important that you find a good vet that has knowledge of your exotic pet, before you get your sugar glider.
Can not be potty trained:
Sugar gliders can not be potty trained as they have little to no bowl control. They go whenever and where ever, which includes on you and your clothes.
Children:
A sugar glider can be a great pet for older children. If you do decide to buy a glider for a child, keep in mind that you will have to supervise care, as well as handling. I don't think sugar gliders would make good pets for young children, seeing that they love to squeeze their pets, and could possible injure the sugar glider's fragile body.
Smell:
There is a smell that comes with the sugar glider, as they do have sent glands. There are things you can do, such as, having a male fixed, using ferret cage deodorizer, or use Elimina or Premira on their food. Also regular cage clean will be needed. Males may mark you with his scent to claim you as his. Some owners add a few drops of apple cider vinegar to neutralize the urine and musky smell with some success.
Other Animals:
In the wild, a sugar gliders predators are mostly predatory birds, such as owls. Sugar gliders should not be kept in the same room as screechy birds, because they find their calls threatening. As a general rule, sugar gliders and other pets don't get a long. Some dogs and cats can care less about the presence of your new glider, but other's will just wait for the right opportunity. Use your judgment in these matters. Gliders should always have their own cage/habitat. Housing them with other animals can be very stressful for your glider.
The sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) is a small arboreal marsupial that is found in the forests of Australia, as well as in Tasmania, New Guinea, and the neighboring islands of Indonesia. This little creature is a member of the same order that includes kangaroos, opossums, wombats and Tasmanian devils! The sugar glider has very thick soft grey mink-like fur with a black stripe that runs the full length of the body in line with the spine. This black stripe extends up and over the top of the head. The last couple of inches of the tail are also black. The glider also has dramatic black markings on the face, legs and back. The sugar glider's head and body measures five to six inches with a bushy tail of equal length. The adult glider weighs 4-6 ounces, with the male being the larger. All marsupials have several features in common. Among these are the structure of their reproductive organs, dentition and a short gestation period followed by a long developmental period for their young. Like most marsupials, the female has a pouch in which the baby glider is carried.
In the wilds of their native habitat, the sugar gliders are tree dwelling creatures, often living in groups of 15 to 30. They are active by night when they hunt for insects and small vertebrates and feed on the sweet sap of certain species of eucalyptus, acacia and gum trees. Sugar gliders are so named for their preference for sweet foods and their ability to glide through the air like a flying squirrel. They travel through the midnight tree tops by launching themselves into the air and transforming into a living kite by spreading out their sails of skin. They can make glides up to fifty meters and use their long tails as rudders to control the direction of flight. They have even been known to snatch an insect out of the air in mid flight. This gliding is made possible by a thin membrane of skin called a patagium that extends between their front and back legs.
Gliders have odd qualities such as opposable fingers and toes and the male glider has a forked penis. Their front feet have five fingers with sharp scimitar shaped claws. The hind feet each has a large opposable big toe. The next two toes are fused together (syndactylous) to make one toe with two nails. This toe is used as a grooming comb. The glider will scratch himself with this comb and then bring the foot around to his mouth, clean it, and repeat the process over and over. This syndactylous toe is typical of many marsupials. The ears are large, thin and hairless and are constantly in motion, moving independently of one another to pick up the smallest sounds. The eyes too, are very large and dark and are oriented towards the sides of the head to allow for a wider field of vision.
Sugar gliders are capable of a wide repertoire of calls that vary from bird-like chirps to dog-like barking. By far their most extraordinary vocalization is the one they make when disturbed in their nest. This is what we call crabbing. It defies description but sounds somewhat like those rattles they hand out at new year parties. Calling to one another is just one means by which they communicate.
To identify each other they rely more heavily on scent. Each glider has its own specific scent signature that other members of the group recognize. Males have a scent gland on their head which looks like a little diamond shaped bald spot in the middle of their forehead. There is another gland between their front legs on their chest. Females have scent glands near the genital area and pouch. Sugar gliders "shake hands" by rubbing themselves on each others scent glands. Despite the fact that they communicate by scent, they are not particularly smelly. You may occasionally smell a fruity musky scent, but it is not strong and is nothing like what you would associate with ferrets or skunks.
In captivity, sugar gliders are kept in large bird cages or aviaries. They sleep in nesting boxes similar to those used for birds. A mated pair may produce up to three litters a year with one or two babies per litter being the norm. The babies are easily tamed with regular handling. Two sugar gliders of the same sex will cohabit successfully if you don't want offspring, however, males will fight each other for dominance if females are present in the group. A healthy captive diet consists primarily of fruits, vegetables and dried cat food. They also enjoy live insects, pinky mice (bought frozen from the pet store), scrambled eggs, yogurt, nuts, fruit flavored pablum, monkey biscuits and fruit juices.
The sugar glider makes a fascinating and unique pet which becomes extremely friendly when provided daily interaction with humans. In order to become the friendliest possible pets, glider babies should be handled daily as soon as they have emerged from the pouch and their eyes are open. Their most endearing quality is the ease with which they bond to their human friends, especially when obtained at a young age (best if purchased shortly after weaning). Male sugar gliders reach maturity around nine to ten months; females shortly thereafter. If properly cared for, they will soon crave your attention. Being nocturnal, they are content to "snuggle" during the day in their cage or in your hand or pocket. During the evening, they become more active and will glide into your hand. Hand-tamed, well adjusted gliders are easy to handle and will not run away, even during their active periods. While all animals will bite when frightened or startled, even wild caught sugar gliders are unable to bite hard, and seldom draw blood (unlike hamsters or gerbils). Both male and female sugar gliders make excellent pets, with a life span of ten to twelve years, sometimes longer. In the wild, however, 4 to 6 years is the usual life expectancy.
Although reasonably easy to care for, sugar gliders require more time than most small caged mammals, and have some specialized needs. Before deciding to become a sugar glider owner, be sure you have the commitment and time your new pet needs. Sugar gliders are extremely social animals. In the wild, they live in large family groups, called colonies. Because of their social nature, pet gliders should always be kept in pairs or small groups. No matter how much time you plan to spend with your pet, you cannot replace the companionship of another glider. It is unnatural for a glider to ever be alone, and unfair to force solitude upon your pet. When housed alone, gliders are likely to become depressed, withdrawn, even defensive, and may refuse to eat and could eventually die from loneliness! If you aren't interested in breeding, same sex groups are able to get along. If keeping males together, they should be litter-mates or introduced at a young age.
In the wild, generally, only one or two of the males in the colony will father all the babies. When the young are weaned and able to live independently, most leave their birth colony, although some will occasionally remain.
The newly independent juveniles band with other gliders of around the same age and form a new colony. Some research suggests that these "offshoot" colonies are, in fact, an extension of the original group. During times of plentiful food, the offshoot groups have been known to rejoin the original colony in a large extended family group, creating what is sometimes referred to as a "mega-colony" of fifty or more animals.
Tame gliders can be let out to play in the evenings but they must be supervised; you will be surprised at how fast they can "jump" away from you! Tame gliders like to climb on curtains, play in the house plants, and just plain jump from place to place. Give them an opportunity and they will find a way to play in your house. Gliders can become very bonded to their owners and can often be trusted to ride on a shoulder or in a jacket pocket.
The charming sugar glider is fast becoming a popular household pet in North America. Indeed, they have many of the characteristics of the perfect pet in that they are clean, personable, attractive and relatively quiet. Their housing and dietary requirements are easy to cater to. They are hardy and don't have a lot of health problems. But while sugar gliders really do make great pets, think before you buy a glider and consider the consequences to yourself as well as the glider: Do I have enough time to consistently care for the glider? Can I provide the glider with a reasonably large cage? Can I afford the vet bills if my glider becomes ill? Is anyone in the household allergic to animal fur? How will existing pets react to a sugar glider? Will my husband/wife divorce me if I bring home another pet? While owning a sugar glider is a rewarding experience, it IS a long term commitment.
What is a sugar glider?: A sugar glider is a small marsupial possum from Australia, and parts of Indonesia and New Guinea. They are not related to flying squirrels, and are considered exotic animals in the United States. Sugar Gliders are nocturnal, meaning they are active during the night, and awake during the day.
Where did they get that name?: Their name comes from their two obvious characteristics. Sugar or Honey because of their preference of sweet things, and Gliders for their gliding membrane called a patagium.
What does a sugar glider look like?: An adult sugar gliders head and body measure about 5 to 6 inches in length with a tail equal in length to aid in balance and gliding. Sugar gliders have hairless ears, that can be moved independently in order to pick up the smallest sounds. A "wild type" or "standard" color sugar glider is gray or brownish in color with a long black stripe that runs from it's nose to the end of the back. The underside of a sugar glider is a cream or white color. The last inch or so of the tail is black or brown. They have large protruding eyes, like most nocturnal animals, to allow for a wider field of vision. A sugar glider has five digits on each forefoot, with sharp claws to help grip branches. The hind feet also have 5 digits, and include a partially fused together 2nd and 3rd digit used for a grooming comb. There is also an enlarged, clawless, opposable big toe. The sugar glider has a patagium, a furred membrane of skin that connects to the wrists and ankles on each side of the glider, used for gliding.
Need some more sugar glider stats?: Sugar gliders in captivity vary in size. A normal weight for an average male is around 120grams. Some males are quite larger weighing over 200grams without being considered overweight. Females do tend to be a little smaller averaging around 110grams, but also vary in size. A sugar gliders average body temperature is around 89 degrees, lower than that of placental mammals. Life span for a captive sugar glider is about 5-7 years in the wild, but can live 12-15 years in captivity, providing they have a healthy diet, exercise, and remain happy. Even though they can live 12-15 years, average life span in captivity is substantially lower, averaging around 6 to 8 years. Usually this is due to poor diet, or inadequate care.
Getting a sugar glider for a kid or young adult is usually not recommended for a number of reason. The care and bonding of any animals, especially an exotic animal such as a sugar glider would be required to be overseen by a responsible adult. It is important to make sure an adult can and would be willing to step up and care for the animal should the child/young adult not be able to. The responsible adult should also oversee the daily care of the animal to ensure the sugar glider is cared for properly. Too many sugar gliders are rehomed each year due to lack of knowledge or care requirement. Many people are first introduced to sugar gliders at a local flea market, trade show, or pet store where their care is overly exaggerated as "easy" and "low maintained pet". Please continue to research before buying a sugar glider for a child or young adult.
Some of the top reasons sugar gliders are not recommended for children/young adults:
* Bonding; with some sugar gliders can take a matter of days while others can take several months. Patience and persistence is extremely important. Sugar gliders can bite, and some actually will when going through the bonding process. Often times kids or young adults may lack the patience and time required to allow a proper bond to form.
* Diet; They are not the type of animal you can run to the store and pick up a bag of "glider food". Of coarse you may visit your local pet store and see "sugar glider food" however this is usually nothing more than repackaged bird or reptile pellets. There are no standards or minimum requirements for sugar glider food, which means any company can put whatever in a box and label it sugar glider food. Proven diets are homemade, and prepared fresh each night. Preparing fruits, veggies, protein source, and staple need to be changed out daily which can make those nights and weekends out, or family vacations extremely difficult. Chopping fruits and vegetables can be dangerous for younger children. Also most proven diets require some cooking (ex. boiled eggs), and the use of a blender.
* Nails; Some young adults/children with sensitive skin may break out in a rash when handling sugar gliders. Trimming nails will help the condition, but not eliminate it for some people. Nails need trimmed often for their safety. Not all sugar gliders will allow you to easily clip their nails. They will wiggle, and some may even bite to get free. Often times this is a two person job for even experienced adults.
* Smell; Young adults/children also have a keener sense of smell than most adults. It is important to note that sugar gliders do have scent glands and do mark what is theirs. Some people do not understand that while the females do not have head or chest glands, they do have scent glands in their anus. While females don't tend to smell as musty, they do still have an odor that some people are sensitive to.
* Noise; Sugar gliders are nocturnal and do tend to get a bit noisy at night. Wheels spinning, sugar gliders barking, the occasional toy bell that makes noise. It can be difficult for some people to sleep with all that going on in the same room.
* Nocturnal; You must consider the animal's sleep patterns. Sugar gliders sleep during the day which means loud music, video games, and TV's can interrupt their sleeping patterns causing them to become stressed. Stress can ultimately lead to illness, over grooming, or in severe cases self mutilation. On the other side, sugar gliders are up all night. They make can make quite a bit of noise running in wheels, barking, or playing with toys while your child is asleep. Children or young adults in school may not have enough time in the late evening hours to spend with their new pet while awake. While it is true that sugar gliders can be carried while they are sleeping, they also need attention in the evening when they are awake and socially active.
* Life Span; Sugar gliders have an extensive life span of 10-15 years in captivity. It is extremely important to consider where a sugar glider will fit into your family as life changes. Kids and young adults have major changes within the next few years of their life including school, graduation, boy/girl friends, drivers licenses, moving out, going off to college. Sugar gliders consider their human family as part of their colony. Rehoming a sugar glider can be detrimental to the future trust and human bonding within the sugar gliders lifetime. While no one ever knows what the future holds for them, it is important to take into consideration what you know will likely happen within the animals lifetime and how it would affect the happiness of the animal.
Sugar Gliders a great animals, and can be a wonderful addition to your family. However, please consider what is best for the animal and yourself, as there are many pros and cons to being a sugar glider owner. Too many times do people rush into buying these animals before looking at all factors. Leaving many sugar gliders homeless, sick, and even dead. I don't mean to sound harsh, but I have seen it myself, and it is simply heartbreaking.
Before you decide if a sugar glider is right for you, please consider the following:
Laws:
Sugar gliders are not legal to have as pets in some states, it is important to research this to see if your state allows sugar gliders as pets. If you are planning on breeding your sugar glider, please note that you may need to have a USDA license. If you don't abide by these laws your sugar glider can be confiscated, you also can be fined, or even imprisoned. Please visit USDA's website for more information.
Cost:
Sugar glider's are expensive animals. Prices start at about $150.00 for a normal gray sugar glider. Sugar gliders are very social colony animals, therefore, it is recommended that you get 2 sugar gliders instead of just one. Sugar glider's need large cages, toys, and have a complex diet. Even if you get a good deal on the price for your sugar glider, and cage, there are a lot more costs ahead that must been considered, such as vet bills, and diets.
Life Span:
A sugar glider in captivity can live up to 15 years, provided it has good care. That means 5,478 nights of, chopping up fresh fruit and veggies, touching bugs, balancing meals, cleaning cages, and spending quality time with your glider. Being that sugar gliders are very social animals, having only one, you must handle it a minimum of 2 hours each night, not doing so can lead to depression, and ultimately other health problems.
Allergic Reactions:
A sugar glider is a furred animal, therefore, if anyone is allergic to animal fur in your household, a sugar glider may not be the best pet for you. Sugar gliders do not have much if any dander, so usually that isn't a problem. People with sensitive skin may break out in a rash when handling sugar gliders. As part of their grooming practices, sugar glider will "sneeze" on their hands and groom their fur. The saliva in combination with their sharp nails can puncture the skin and cause a condition known as dermatitis.
Vets:
A sugar glider is considered an exotic animal, therefore, not all vets treat them. It is important that you find a good vet that has knowledge of your exotic pet, before you get your sugar glider.
Can not be potty trained:
Sugar gliders can not be potty trained as they have little to no bowl control. They go whenever and where ever, which includes on you and your clothes.
Children:
A sugar glider can be a great pet for older children. If you do decide to buy a glider for a child, keep in mind that you will have to supervise care, as well as handling. I don't think sugar gliders would make good pets for young children, seeing that they love to squeeze their pets, and could possible injure the sugar glider's fragile body.
Smell:
There is a smell that comes with the sugar glider, as they do have sent glands. There are things you can do, such as, having a male fixed, using ferret cage deodorizer, or use Elimina or Premira on their food. Also regular cage clean will be needed. Males may mark you with his scent to claim you as his. Some owners add a few drops of apple cider vinegar to neutralize the urine and musky smell with some success.
Other Animals:
In the wild, a sugar gliders predators are mostly predatory birds, such as owls. Sugar gliders should not be kept in the same room as screechy birds, because they find their calls threatening. As a general rule, sugar gliders and other pets don't get a long. Some dogs and cats can care less about the presence of your new glider, but other's will just wait for the right opportunity. Use your judgment in these matters. Gliders should always have their own cage/habitat. Housing them with other animals can be very stressful for your glider.
The sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) is a small arboreal marsupial that is found in the forests of Australia, as well as in Tasmania, New Guinea, and the neighboring islands of Indonesia. This little creature is a member of the same order that includes kangaroos, opossums, wombats and Tasmanian devils! The sugar glider has very thick soft grey mink-like fur with a black stripe that runs the full length of the body in line with the spine. This black stripe extends up and over the top of the head. The last couple of inches of the tail are also black. The glider also has dramatic black markings on the face, legs and back. The sugar glider's head and body measures five to six inches with a bushy tail of equal length. The adult glider weighs 4-6 ounces, with the male being the larger. All marsupials have several features in common. Among these are the structure of their reproductive organs, dentition and a short gestation period followed by a long developmental period for their young. Like most marsupials, the female has a pouch in which the baby glider is carried.
In the wilds of their native habitat, the sugar gliders are tree dwelling creatures, often living in groups of 15 to 30. They are active by night when they hunt for insects and small vertebrates and feed on the sweet sap of certain species of eucalyptus, acacia and gum trees. Sugar gliders are so named for their preference for sweet foods and their ability to glide through the air like a flying squirrel. They travel through the midnight tree tops by launching themselves into the air and transforming into a living kite by spreading out their sails of skin. They can make glides up to fifty meters and use their long tails as rudders to control the direction of flight. They have even been known to snatch an insect out of the air in mid flight. This gliding is made possible by a thin membrane of skin called a patagium that extends between their front and back legs.
Gliders have odd qualities such as opposable fingers and toes and the male glider has a forked penis. Their front feet have five fingers with sharp scimitar shaped claws. The hind feet each has a large opposable big toe. The next two toes are fused together (syndactylous) to make one toe with two nails. This toe is used as a grooming comb. The glider will scratch himself with this comb and then bring the foot around to his mouth, clean it, and repeat the process over and over. This syndactylous toe is typical of many marsupials. The ears are large, thin and hairless and are constantly in motion, moving independently of one another to pick up the smallest sounds. The eyes too, are very large and dark and are oriented towards the sides of the head to allow for a wider field of vision.
Sugar gliders are capable of a wide repertoire of calls that vary from bird-like chirps to dog-like barking. By far their most extraordinary vocalization is the one they make when disturbed in their nest. This is what we call crabbing. It defies description but sounds somewhat like those rattles they hand out at new year parties. Calling to one another is just one means by which they communicate.
To identify each other they rely more heavily on scent. Each glider has its own specific scent signature that other members of the group recognize. Males have a scent gland on their head which looks like a little diamond shaped bald spot in the middle of their forehead. There is another gland between their front legs on their chest. Females have scent glands near the genital area and pouch. Sugar gliders "shake hands" by rubbing themselves on each others scent glands. Despite the fact that they communicate by scent, they are not particularly smelly. You may occasionally smell a fruity musky scent, but it is not strong and is nothing like what you would associate with ferrets or skunks.
In captivity, sugar gliders are kept in large bird cages or aviaries. They sleep in nesting boxes similar to those used for birds. A mated pair may produce up to three litters a year with one or two babies per litter being the norm. The babies are easily tamed with regular handling. Two sugar gliders of the same sex will cohabit successfully if you don't want offspring, however, males will fight each other for dominance if females are present in the group. A healthy captive diet consists primarily of fruits, vegetables and dried cat food. They also enjoy live insects, pinky mice (bought frozen from the pet store), scrambled eggs, yogurt, nuts, fruit flavored pablum, monkey biscuits and fruit juices.
The sugar glider makes a fascinating and unique pet which becomes extremely friendly when provided daily interaction with humans. In order to become the friendliest possible pets, glider babies should be handled daily as soon as they have emerged from the pouch and their eyes are open. Their most endearing quality is the ease with which they bond to their human friends, especially when obtained at a young age (best if purchased shortly after weaning). Male sugar gliders reach maturity around nine to ten months; females shortly thereafter. If properly cared for, they will soon crave your attention. Being nocturnal, they are content to "snuggle" during the day in their cage or in your hand or pocket. During the evening, they become more active and will glide into your hand. Hand-tamed, well adjusted gliders are easy to handle and will not run away, even during their active periods. While all animals will bite when frightened or startled, even wild caught sugar gliders are unable to bite hard, and seldom draw blood (unlike hamsters or gerbils). Both male and female sugar gliders make excellent pets, with a life span of ten to twelve years, sometimes longer. In the wild, however, 4 to 6 years is the usual life expectancy.
Although reasonably easy to care for, sugar gliders require more time than most small caged mammals, and have some specialized needs. Before deciding to become a sugar glider owner, be sure you have the commitment and time your new pet needs. Sugar gliders are extremely social animals. In the wild, they live in large family groups, called colonies. Because of their social nature, pet gliders should always be kept in pairs or small groups. No matter how much time you plan to spend with your pet, you cannot replace the companionship of another glider. It is unnatural for a glider to ever be alone, and unfair to force solitude upon your pet. When housed alone, gliders are likely to become depressed, withdrawn, even defensive, and may refuse to eat and could eventually die from loneliness! If you aren't interested in breeding, same sex groups are able to get along. If keeping males together, they should be litter-mates or introduced at a young age.
In the wild, generally, only one or two of the males in the colony will father all the babies. When the young are weaned and able to live independently, most leave their birth colony, although some will occasionally remain.
The newly independent juveniles band with other gliders of around the same age and form a new colony. Some research suggests that these "offshoot" colonies are, in fact, an extension of the original group. During times of plentiful food, the offshoot groups have been known to rejoin the original colony in a large extended family group, creating what is sometimes referred to as a "mega-colony" of fifty or more animals.
Tame gliders can be let out to play in the evenings but they must be supervised; you will be surprised at how fast they can "jump" away from you! Tame gliders like to climb on curtains, play in the house plants, and just plain jump from place to place. Give them an opportunity and they will find a way to play in your house. Gliders can become very bonded to their owners and can often be trusted to ride on a shoulder or in a jacket pocket.
The charming sugar glider is fast becoming a popular household pet in North America. Indeed, they have many of the characteristics of the perfect pet in that they are clean, personable, attractive and relatively quiet. Their housing and dietary requirements are easy to cater to. They are hardy and don't have a lot of health problems. But while sugar gliders really do make great pets, think before you buy a glider and consider the consequences to yourself as well as the glider: Do I have enough time to consistently care for the glider? Can I provide the glider with a reasonably large cage? Can I afford the vet bills if my glider becomes ill? Is anyone in the household allergic to animal fur? How will existing pets react to a sugar glider? Will my husband/wife divorce me if I bring home another pet? While owning a sugar glider is a rewarding experience, it IS a long term commitment.